Pivoting ramp for dynamic load/unload files

Abstract

A ramp is disclosed for use in a disc drive system for loading and unloading a magnetic slider carrying actuator. The actuator is rotatable about an actuator pivot and supports the magnetic slider over a first surface of a magnetic disc. The ramp includes a pivoting arm which rotates about a ramp pivot such that the pivoting arm moves toward an inner diameter of the first magnetic disc surface as the actuator rotates toward an outer diameter of the first magnetic disc surface during unloading of the actuator. A sloped region coupled to the pivoting arm is adapted for receiving the actuator during unloading as the pivoting arm moves toward the inner diameter and as the actuator moves toward the outer diameter.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A disc drive data storage system comprising: a data storage disc having a first surface, the first surface of the magnetic disc having an inner diameter and an outer diameter;   an actuator for supporting a head slider over the first surface of the magnetic disc, the actuator being rotatable about an actuator pivot toward the actuator inner and outer diameters, the actuator having a load beam coupled to the actuator pivot, a gimbal section coupled to the load beam for carrying the slider, and a first elongated actuator extension coupled to and located underneath the load beam; and   a ramp loading and unloading the actuator, the ramp pivoting about a ramp pivot such that the ramp moves toward the inner diameter as the actuator moves toward the outer diameter during unloading of the actuator, the ramp includes a pivoting arm coupled to the ramp pivot and a ramp extension coupled to the pivoting arm, the ramp extension making contact with the first actuator extension as the actuator moves toward the outer diameter during unloading, such that contact between the first actuator extension and the ramp extension causes the ramp to rotates about the ramp pivot to move the ramp toward the inner diameter during unloading;   a level region coupled to the pivoting arm; and   a sloped region coupled to the level region, the sloped region forming a ramp angle with a plane parallel to the first surface of the data storage disc, the sloped region receiving the actuator during unloading of the actuator as the ramp moves toward the inner diameter and as the actuator moves toward the outer diameter;   a means for biasing the ramp toward the outer diameter such that the ramp remains at an outer diameter position until contact occurs between the actuator and the ramp extension;   a second actuator extension coupled to the gimbal section, the second actuator extension received by the sloped region of the ramp during unloading of the actuator as the ramp moves toward the inner diameter and as the actuator moves toward the outer diameter.   
     
     
       2. The disc drive data storage system of claim 1, wherein the means for biasing the ramp toward the outer diameter includes a spring coupled to the pivoting arm of the ramp.